By: Tom Smedley
Zero may soon be among the greatest fixtures of the energy sector, creating synthetic fuels that are 100% fossil-free and carbon-neutral. Compared to traditional petroleum products, these fuels are manufactured using only water and carbon dioxide extracted from the air, powered entirely by renewable energy. This process, known as Petrosynthesis, combines hydrogen and captured CO2 to create hydrocarbons that are identical to conventional fuels—all without the environmental impact.
The company’s proprietary DirectFT® technology has already achieved what many thought impossible: producing high-quality gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel that can be used in existing engines without modifications. This technological development earned Zero a Guinness World Record for powering the first aircraft using purely synthetic fuel, cementing its real-world potential for years to come.
Breaking Down Barriers to Access
Today, over 2.3 billion people worldwide still rely on polluting cooking fuels, while hundreds of millions lack access to clean energy sources. The challenge involves more than simply creating clean alternatives. More importantly, achieving global green energy requires making these clean alternatives available and affordable for everyone. Tom Smedley, Zero’s new chief commercial officer, brings his track history in scaling companies to help overcome this challenge.
“The world needs scalable solutions that can work within existing infrastructure,” Smedley states. “We aren’t solely creating clean fuel. We’re going to make it as accessible and affordable as regular petroleum products.” With a record of growing companies from zero to multimillion-dollar valuations, Smedley is capable of leading Zero’s commercial expansion on a global scale.
Building a Sustainable Future
Zero’s expansion plans include the deployment of Plant Zero.2, its first commercial-scale production facility, set to begin operations as early as 2025. This facility represents a major step toward making synthetic fuels commercially viable and cost-competitive with fossil fuels within the next decade, aligning with Smedley’s overarching plans to continue scaling the company in all aspects.
The company’s partnerships with industry giants like Airbus, Boeing, and the Royal Air Force only further demonstrate this growth potential. Many see synthetic fuels as a practical solution for otherwise hard-to-decarbonize sectors. In South Australia alone, Zero’s planned facility could produce up to double-digit millions of liters of carbon-neutral fuel annually, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by five-digit tonnes while creating hundreds of jobs.
For a Greener Tomorrow
“Our synthetic solution drops into any engine without alterations,” explains Tom Smedley. “Whether you’re powering an exotic motorbike or critical transportation infrastructure, the result will be superior carbon-neutral performance.”
Combined with Zero’s scaling strategy under Smedley’s leadership, such versatility has experts foreseeing significant upward growth for both entities. The latest EU mandate for the use of synthetic fuels in aviation, which increased to 35% by 2050 from 1.2% in 2030, supports this estimate even more.
With Tom Smedley’s ability to scale businesses and Zero’s novel petrosynthesis technology, billions around the planet may soon have access to clean, guilt-free fuel that is indistinguishable from conventional petroleum, price or otherwise.
Innovating Beyond Fuel Production
Zero’s vision extends far beyond fuel production; it encompasses a commitment to transforming the global energy landscape. By integrating cutting-edge research with sustainable practices, Zero is actively exploring new applications for its synthetic fuels, including marine transport and industrial energy solutions.
These sectors, often considered some of the most challenging to decarbonize, stand to benefit significantly from Zero’s advancements. The company is also investing in educational initiatives and collaborative projects with governments to ensure equitable and inclusive transition to cleaner energy sources. Through these efforts, Zero aims to foster a world where clean energy is a privilege and a standard accessible to all.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
